As I've said before, if you are eating, sleeping, and pooping, you are probably on the right track to good health. Unfortunately, I have found that most people have at least some trouble with the sleeping and pooping parts. Most clients of mine have suffered from a phase of insomnia at one point or another, and it is rare to find someone who can boast of consistently enjoying a deep and restful sleep. It is also rare to find patients who haven't dealt with a bout of constipation at least once in their lives.
As a healthcare practitioner, I give the same generic advice to patients, over and over: drink more water, eat more fruits and veggies, and keep moving. Since I am in this field, however, I see constipation from two perspectives: the physical, and the emotional.

From a physical standpoint, constipation can be a sign that the diet needs to shift, that the patient is dehydrated, or that the intestines are simply sluggish. It can stem from medication, excessive iron intake, or a myriad of other issues. From the emotional view, though, the patient needs to ask themselves: "What am I holding on to?" Constipation can be an indicator that there is something you just can't let go of, something that you simply can't release. And usually, this tends to be something that you no longer need. Elimination is about getting rid of waste, taking the good into the body and purging the unwanted. If you are holding onto this waste physically, it may be your body's way of telling you that you need to focus on ditching some of your emotional crap, as well.

Very often, when I treat constipation in patients, they notice immediate effects that are unrelated to their sluggish bowels. People sometimes experience emotional releases such as crying or a resurfacing of an emotion that has been buried deeply within. I have seen people come to great realizations after treatment, such as deciding to end a relationship, or coming to terms with unpleasant memories. It's as if the physical release triggers the patient into moving out all of their old crap, not just the stuff that's been sitting around in their intestines. Generally, people feel wonderful after this emotional release. After all, if you want to bring anything fresh and new and wanted into your life, you need to make room for it...and this is really what release is all about.